Are you a serving police officer with a desire to climb the career ladder and experience exciting new job opportunities?

Our MSc Strategic Policing is designed to enhance the careers of police officers, like you, who want to become leaders in the future.

We’ve developed our course in consultation with partner forces and the College of Policing to ensure its relevance to contemporary police work and with the changing educational requirements of policing in mind.

You will learn how to approach the issues and the contemporary challenges that modern day policing faces, including extremism, human security in global contexts and strategic partnerships for community engagement.

And, you can choose from a large range of modules that relate to your specialisms, so that your MSc matches your career aspirations and will be of real benefit and help you get ahead of the game.

Why Choose University of Cumbria

We know that it can be hard to strike the balance between lifestyle, shifts and studies, and so, you can learn conveniently and flexibly online at a pace to suit you.

But you won’t feel like you are studying alone. You will have plenty of support from your own personal tutor, easily connect with fellow students through our online software and attend workshops at either our Carlisle or London campuses.

We are a Centre of Excellence for Policing Studies

Tutors include former serving police officers and professionals from across the criminal justice sector. They bring their wealth of experience to their teaching

Study on our course without having gained a degree. We consider applications on an individual basis based on rank and role

Study module-by-module at a pace to suit you, with no requirement to have to study for the full MSc

We have a wide network of contacts throughout the Criminal Justice Service to boost networking opportunities

Guest speakers from a range of specialist police areas will improve your knowledge and understanding

Modules have been designed to complement and enhance traditional police training

Assessments are linked to operational expectations

We ensure everything we teach matches the ever-changing world of professional policing

Opportunity to undertake a piece of work-based research

Link-up with officers from other policing areas to share ideas and experiences, improving your own skills and knowledge of policing

Through a range of theory, practical work and reflection on your own operational experiences, we will help you enhance your strategic thinking and management skills so that you can become an effective leader.

So, if you are looking to better your qualifications to enhance your career chances, having an MSc in Strategic Policing will prove to be highly beneficial.

Graduate destinations

While it is expected that students joining this course will already be working in policing, this programme can be used to develop CPD and enhance career opportunities.

Course outline

Course summary

We have a mix of compulsory and optional modules, letting you build a programme that reflects your personal development and career aspirations. These modules have been designed to complement and enhance traditional police training. Students will also have the opportunity to undertake a piece of work-based research.

Modules

Year One

Compulsory modules

Research Skills and Methods

Dissertation/Work-Based Project

Ethics and Integrity within the Profession

Strategic Partnerships and Community Engagement

Optional modules (subject to availability and demand)

Science and Justice

Human rights

Contemporary Challenges in Policing

Crime and Society

Individual study

Extremism

Leadership and Sustainability in Organisational Contexts

Human Security in Global Contexts

Programme Specification

Programme specification

For a detailed summary of all course content please read our programme specification for this course.

Assessment, Feedback, and Teaching and Learning methods

Timetables

The teaching timetable should be available from the end of August. Access to the timetable is through the Student Hub – you will be able to access the Student Hub after you have completed online registration. The teaching day is 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday; please keep your other commitments open until confirmation of your teaching timetable, and bear in mind that many courses will offer placements or fieldwork which sometimes extends into the evenings and weekends.

Entry requirements

Entry Requirements

Selection criteria

Applicants should normally hold a 2nd class honours degree or equivalent in a related subject.

The MSc is aimed at serving police officers and staff who hold a suitable role which will allow them to fully engage with the programme's intended learning outcomes and assessment strategy.

Applications for direct entry will be considered based on previous learning and experience as a police officer.

Application information

Making your application

Applications should be made online directly to the university - visit our website or contact enquirycentre@cumbria.ac.uk for details and guidance. There is no official closing date but we would encourage you to apply as early as possible, as many courses are competitive.

What makes a good application?

We consider all aspects of your application, not simply your qualifications and grades. We look at your academic background and performance, relevant experience (particularly for professional courses where some voluntary or paid experience is required) and your reference. Above all, we look for motivation, commitment and potential - evidence that you can benefit from study at higher education level.

Explain clearly what attracts you to the course and tell us about your wider interests and experience. If you are applying for a course that incorporates professional training and placements, you should include any relevant experience or visits you have made in the workplace. Highlight your individual strengths and qualities, personal skills, capacity for teamwork, contribution to the community and your enterprise, originality and determination. Select some activities which bring out these qualities.

What next?

When we receive your application, we will send you an acknowledgement and if you are successful at this stage you will get either an offer (with an invitation to visit the campus to which you have applied), or an invitation to interview on a particular date. If we are not able to offer you a place on your chosen course we will usually try to offer you a place on a similar course and will contact you to discuss this. Alternatively, if we think you are suitable, but cannot offer you a place on your preferred campus because of the level of competition, we will offer you a place at another campus if one is available.

And if I accept?

The admissions team will contact you and send further information from February onwards about accommodation, and from May/June onwards about preparing to join the university. If you have any other queries, please telephone the admissions offices for information and advice on 0845 6061144.

Deferred entry

We welcome applications for deferred entry on some courses. If you have specific plans during your year out, indicate these on your personal statement as they may be relevant to your course and could enhance your application.

International students

Please see the international pages of our website for full details of our entry requirements (including English-language skills) as well as contacts for advice and support.

From 2009 the UK Border Agency introduced a Points-Based Immigration System (PBS) for students coming to the UK from outside the European Economic Area (EEA).

Students entering higher education will need to obtain a Confirmation of Acceptance (CAS) plus finance confirmation to obtain a Tier 4 student visa.

UK education providers are licensed by the UK Border Agency. When students apply for their visa (or entry clearance) they will need a valid Certificate of Acceptance of Studies from the university. Please note that a CAS is not a guarantee that a visa will be issued.

Taught Degrees

Please note that fees for modules and programmes will increase due to inflation.

Paying your fees

You can pay your tuition fees online, directly to the university. You can pay in full or spread out the cost through a maximum of three instalments. To discuss instalments, email us at accountsreceivableteam@cumbria.ac.uk.

Tuition fee invoices are sent electronically to students university and personal email accounts.

Research Degrees (PhD)

Paying your fees

You can pay your tuition fees online, directly to the university. You can pay in full or spread out the cost through a maximum of three instalments. To discuss instalments, email us at accountsreceivableteam@cumbria.ac.uk.

Tuition fee invoices are sent electronically to students university and personal email accounts.

Alumni Discount

If you are interested in continuing your studies past graduation, then we’re here to help you get started. We offer a discount on postgraduate fees to eligible graduates of the University of Cumbria.

For your first postgraduate award, you could receive as much as a 20% discount on taught courses, or 10% on research degrees. This is for awards of up to a maximum of 180 credits, and does not apply to PGCE students. International students will be entitled to the same absolute discount (not percentage) as home and EU students.

To receive this discount, you must have previously studied at the University of Cumbria as an undergraduate in the last 5 years and achieved an award of 120 credits minimum, as well as meet the relevant entry requirements for postgraduate study. Accreditation of Prior Learning charges are not included in this discount.

We want to reward our students who choose to continue with academia, so for more information on this discount or anything about postgraduate study, please contact the Enquiry Centre.

Financial support

There's a range of scholarships, bursaries, grants and other funding available to support you in getting your degree.

Student Loans

Postgraduate master's loan

If you’re starting a master’s degree, you could get a Postgraduate Master’s Loan to help with course fees and living costs. For MSc Physiotherapy and MSc Occupational Therapy, please see the NHS Master's Courses below.

What you’ll get

Academic year

Maximum Loan (£)

2019/20

£10,906

Funding for postgraduate loans is different if you normally live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. Moving somewhere to study does not count as normally living there.

NHS master's courses

Student loan

MSc Occupational Therapy and MSc Physiotherapy students who live in England will be able to apply for a tuition fee loan of up to £9,250 from the Student Loans Company. This can be used as part payment (MSc Physiotherapy) or full payment (MSc Occupational Therapy) of tuition fees.

Your loan application is likely to take around 2 months to finalise so it is important to complete your application as soon as possible. We recommend completing your application by the end of May (new students) or June (continuing students) to avoid any delays in receiving your funding.

You can apply for a maintenance loan to assist with meeting living costs such as food, accommodation and travel expenses. These are normally paid in three instalments throughout the university year directly to your bank account.

Depending on household income, students may be able to apply for the following amounts in 2019/20:

To support students while undertaking the clinical placement element of their studies, the government is providing non-repayable grants which can be accessed through the Learning Support Fund. The Learning Support Fund, administered through the NHS Business Services Authority, makes available:

Postgraduate doctoral loan

Repaying your loan

The earliest you start repaying your Postgraduate Master’s or Doctoral Loan is when your annual income is over £21,000 and it’s either:

the first April after you leave your course

April 4 years after the course started

Contact Student Finance England if your circumstances change or you leave your course early. You’ll have to pay back any overpayment straight away even if your income is less than £21,000.

How much you’ll repay

You’ll pay back 6% of your income over the minimum amount (‘threshold’). This is £21,000 a year, £1,750 a month or £404 a week.

Example

You earn £2,500 a month before tax. This is £750 over the monthly threshold. You’ll repay £45 (6% of this amount) each month.

If you already have a Postgraduate Master’s Loan then you’ll make a combined repayment of 6% covering both postgraduate loans. You’ll be charged interest from the day you get the first payment until your loan is repaid in full or cancelled.

Scholarships and bursaries

Social Work bursary

MA Social Work students may be eligible for a grant up to £3,362.50 and a means tested maintenance grant up to £2,721. Full details are available on the NHSBSA website.

The number of people who can get a bursary is limited (or capped). This means that there is no guarantee that if you take up an offer of a place on the MA Social Work course, you will receive a bursary. The university will provide a shortlist of students to the NHSBSA who will then assess bursary applications.

Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme (ELCAS) - If you currently serve (or have recently served) within the Armed Forces and wish to enhance your education, then you can receive help covering your funding through the Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme.

Association of Commonwealth Universities - provides scholarships, grants, loans and assistantships open to commonwealth graduates who wish to undertake further study at a commonwealth university outside their own country

Accommodation

From only £10 per night, we provide the lowest cost student accommodation in the North West. Check out our accommodation page for a full price list and more details about the residences.

Read more

Heating, lighting, water and internet costs are included in your rent and full-time students don't pay council tax.

Paying your accommodation fees

At the beginning of term, you will receive an email confirming your accommodation, your accommodation fees and a quick payment link. Please ensure that you have your student ID available prior to entering the online payments site.

Taught Degrees

Please note that fees for modules and programmes will increase due to inflation.

For information about postgraduate programmes delivered in partnership with Robert Kennedy College, please visit their website.

Paying your fees

You can pay your tuition fees online, directly to the university. You can pay in full or spread out the cost through a maximum of three instalments. To discuss instalments, email us at accountsreceivableteam@cumbria.ac.uk.

Tuition fee invoices are sent electronically to students university and personal email accounts.

Research Degrees (PhD)

Paying your fees

You can pay your tuition fees online, directly to the university. You can pay in full or spread out the cost through a maximum of three instalments. To discuss instalments, email us at accountsreceivableteam@cumbria.ac.uk.

Tuition fee invoices are sent electronically to students university and personal email accounts.

Alumni discount

If you are interested in continuing your studies past graduation, then we’re here to help you get started. We offer a discount on postgraduate fees to eligible graduates of the University of Cumbria, or any of its legacy institutions.

For your first postgraduate award, you could receive as much as a 20% discount on taught courses, or 10% on research degrees. This is for awards of up to a maximum of 180 credits, and does not apply to PGCE students.

To receive this discount, you must have previously studied at the University of Cumbria as an undergraduate and achieved an award of 120 credits minimum, as well as meet the relevant entry requirements for postgraduate study. For research degrees, this will apply to any alumni that have graduated in the last 5 years. Accreditation of Prior Learning charges are not included in this discount.

We want to reward our students who choose to continue with academia, so for more information on this discount or anything about postgraduate study, please contact the Enquiry Centre.

Financial support

There's a range of scholarships, bursaries, grants and other funding available to support you in getting your degree.

Student Loans

Postgraduate master's loan

If you’re starting a master’s degree, you could get a Postgraduate Master’s Loan to help with course fees and living costs.

Start date

Maximum Loan (£)

2018/19

£10,609

2019/20

£10,906

Funding for postgraduate loans is different if you normally live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. Moving somewhere to study does not count as normally living there.

Some courses, for example Social Work and some Health Professions Masters degrees do attract some funding. Contact us for more information.

Repaying your loan

The earliest you start repaying your Postgraduate Master’s or Doctoral Loan is when your annual income is over £21,000 and it’s either:

the first April after you leave your course

April 4 years after the course started

Contact Student Finance England if your circumstances change or you leave your course early. You’ll have to pay back any overpayment straight away even if your income is less than £21,000.

How much you’ll repay

You’ll pay back 6% of your income over the minimum amount (‘threshold’). This is £21,000 a year, £1,750 a month or £404 a week.

Example

You earn £2,500 a month before tax. This is £750 over the monthly threshold. You’ll repay £45 (6% of this amount) each month.

If you already have a Postgraduate Master’s Loan then you’ll make a combined repayment of 6% covering both postgraduate loans. You’ll be charged interest from the day you get the first payment until your loan is repaid in full or cancelled.

Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme (ELCAS) - If you currently serve (or have recently served) within the Armed Forces and wish to enhance your education, then you can receive help covering your funding through the Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme.

Association of Commonwealth Universities - provides scholarships, grants, loans and assistantships open to commonwealth graduates who wish to undertake further study at a commonwealth university outside their own country

Accommodation

From only £10 per night, we provide the lowest cost student accommodation in the North West. Check out our accommodation page for a full price list and more details about the residences.

Read more

Heating, lighting, water and internet costs are included in your rent and full-time students don't pay council tax.

Paying your accommodation fees

At the beginning of term, you will receive an email confirming your accommodation, your accommodation fees and a quick payment link. Please ensure that you have your student ID available prior to entering the online payments site.

Taught Degrees

The tuition fees for the 2019/20 academic year will be confirmed soon.

Please note that fees for modules and programmes may increase due to inflation.

For information about postgraduate programmes delivered in partnership with Robert Kennedy College, please visit their website.

Paying your fees

You can pay your tuition fees online, directly to the university. You can pay in full or spread out the cost through a maximum of three instalments. To discuss instalments, email us at accountsreceivableteam@cumbria.ac.uk.

Tuition fee invoices are sent electronically to students university and personal email accounts.

Research Degrees (PhD)

Paying your fees

You can pay your tuition fees online, directly to the university. You can pay in full or spread out the cost through a maximum of three instalments. To discuss instalments, email us at accountsreceivableteam@cumbria.ac.uk.

Tuition fee invoices are sent electronically to students university and personal email accounts.

Alumni Discount

If you are interested in continuing your studies past graduation, then we’re here to help you get started. We offer a discount on postgraduate fees to eligible graduates of the University of Cumbria, or any of its legacy institutions.

For your first postgraduate award, you could receive as much as a 20% discount on taught courses, or 10% on research degrees. This is for awards of up to a maximum of 180 credits, and does not apply to PGCE students. International students will be entitled to the same absolute discount (not percentage) as home and EU students.

To receive this discount, you must have previously studied at the University of Cumbria as an undergraduate and achieved an award of 120 credits minimum, as well as meet the relevant entry requirements for postgraduate study. For research degrees, this will apply to any alumni that have graduated in the last 5 years. Accreditation of Prior Learning charges are not included in this discount.

We want to reward our students who choose to continue with academia, so for more information on this discount or anything about postgraduate study, please contact the Enquiry Centre.

Accommodation

From only £10 per night, we provide the lowest cost student accommodation in the North West. Check out our accommodation page for a full price list and more details about the residences.

Read more

Paying for your accommodation

If you choose to stay in univerisity accommodation you will be required to make a pre-payment of £250, and a pre-payment of £100 towards catering packages.

After you have made the pre-payment(s), and the contract has been returned, the balance of your contract will be due. Payment must be made by registration. Instalments are not available.

Please note that you do have the option to pay for the accommodation and catering in full with the contract.

Payment must be made in pounds sterling. You will be given the option online to convert your currency when making a payment.

Resources and facilities

All our teaching staff have worked in the Criminal Justice Service, and bring together a wealth of knowledge and experience in this sector. We have a wide network of contacts throughout the Criminal Justice Service and are able to arrange specialist speakers to meet student demand.